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Olivenza, Spain
Juan José Padilla adjusts his montera (bullfighter’s hat) before going into the ring for his comeback bullfight.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

The Associated Press

March 4, 2012

Olivenza, Spain
Juan José Padilla adjusts his montera (bullfighter’s hat) before going into the ring for his comeback bullfight.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

Soria, Spain
A traveling chapel belonging to bullfighter Juan José Padilla stands in his hotel room, before a fight.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

The Associated Press

July 1, 2012

Soria, Spain
A traveling chapel belonging to bullfighter Juan José Padilla stands in his hotel room, before a fight.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

Olivenza, Spain
Juan José Padilla has his capote (cape) adjusted, before going into the ring for his comeback bullfight.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

The Associated Press

March 4, 2011

Olivenza, Spain
Juan José Padilla has his capote (cape) adjusted, before going into the ring for his comeback bullfight.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

Pamplona, Spain
A bull from the Torrehandilla-Torreherberos ranch charges into the arena during a bullfight at the San Fermin fiesta, in July.
The nine-day festival dates back to the 16th century, and in addition to bullfights features the renowned ‘Running of the Bulls’ through the streets of Pamplona.

The Associated Press

July 14, 2012

Pamplona, Spain
A bull from the Torrehandilla-Torreherberos ranch charges into the arena during a bullfight at the San Fermin fiesta, in July.
The nine-day festival dates back to the 16th century, and in addition to bullfights features the renowned ‘Running of the Bulls’ through the streets of Pamplona.

Olivenza, Spain
Juan José Padilla, during his comeback bullfight in March.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

The Associated Press

March 4, 2011

Olivenza, Spain
Juan José Padilla, during his comeback bullfight in March.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

Olivenza, Spain
Juan José Padilla performs a pass at his comeback bullfight.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

The Associated Press

March 4, 2011

Olivenza, Spain
Juan José Padilla performs a pass at his comeback bullfight.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

Olivenza, Spain
Juan José Padilla performs a pass at his comeback bullfight.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

The Associated Press

March 4, 2012

Olivenza, Spain
Juan José Padilla performs a pass at his comeback bullfight.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

Olivenza, Spain
Juan José Padilla aims his sword before the kill, at his comeback bullfight.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

The Associated Press

August 28, 2012

Olivenza, Spain
Juan José Padilla aims his sword before the kill, at his comeback bullfight.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

Olivenza, Spain
A bull at Juan José Padilla’s comeback bullfight, in Olivenza on 4 March.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

The Associated Press

November 18, 2012

Olivenza, Spain
A bull at Juan José Padilla’s comeback bullfight, in Olivenza on 4 March.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

Olivenza, Spain
Juan José Padilla is carried out of the ring after his comeback bullfight in Olivenza.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

The Associated Press

March 5, 2011

Olivenza, Spain
Juan José Padilla is carried out of the ring after his comeback bullfight in Olivenza.
Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

Bullfighter's Comeback

Observed Portraits, second prize stories

March 4, 2012

Olivenza, Spain

Juan José Padilla adjusts his montera (bullfighter’s hat) before going into the ring for his comeback bullfight.

Spanish bullfighter Juan José Padilla (38), known as the ‘Cyclone of Jerez’, lost the sight in one eye and has partial paralysis of the face, after being gored by a bull in October 2011. The bull slammed one of its horns into Padilla’s jaw, and gouged out his left eye. Padilla needed substantial reconstructive surgery, and a titanium plate implant. Five months later he made a comeback, in the southwestern town of Olivenza. After the fight, Padilla was carried from the ring on the shoulders of a fellow bullfighter, an honor reserved for the very best performers.

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